Articles, videos and more to keep your family healthy.
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Coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of viruses that can infect both humans and animals. There are several types of coronaviruses that can infect humans. Some coronaviruses are common and cause mild cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, headache and cough. Other types of coronaviruses, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)-CoV and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV, have caused more severe illnesses when outbreaks occurred.
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On May 10, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech for use of the COVID-19 vaccine in ages 12-15. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was already approved for emergency use in ages 16 and up, and on August 23, 2021, it was granted full FDA approval in ages 16 and older.
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As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, many people are hopeful that we're one step closer to ending the pandemic. But there are also many questions about the vaccines, such as how do they work, are they safe and when will they be available for everyone?
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Returning to school after virtual learning may cause a wide range of emotions for many children and parents. The emotions can range from fear to excitement.
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With the Delta variant increasing COVID-19 cases across the country, face masks are still a part of our everyday lives. Wearing one is a simple and effective way to reduce the spread of the virus and keep our communities healthy.
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As COVID-19 continues to spread, it's important to take precautions to reduce your family's risk of infection. The best way to keep your family safe is taking preventive measures such as getting the COVID-19 vaccine if eligible, wearing a mask (if over age 2) and regularly washing hands.
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The use of e-cigarettes among teens has become a widespread health concern. Around 1 in 5 high school students report vaping, which has been associated with increased risk for infections, breathing problems in teens with asthma and chronic bronchitis.
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Every fall and winter, parents prepare for flu season and take steps to protect their family. This year, COVID‑19 is causing unique concerns and questions, including how to tell the difference between the two respiratory illnesses.
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In 2020, many Halloween activities were canceled due to COVID-19. This year – thanks to the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone over 12 – many communities are hosting their annual pumpkin walks, fall festivals, trunk-or-treat parties and trick-or-treating events.
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COVID‑19 vaccines sent a collective sigh of relief across the country. Even if you have children too young for the vaccine, you likely felt safer about returning to some level of normal activity and life after you got vaccinated. But a new surge of COVID‑19 infections due to the Delta variant has resulted in some fully vaccinated people testing positive for COVID‑19 (called a "breakthrough" infection). That wave of new infections has also left many parents wondering how to keep their children safe.
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As viruses spread, they constantly change. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have emerged and spread around the world. Recently, you may have heard a lot about the "Delta" variant, which is now the dominant strain in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Reports about new strains of the virus that causes COVID‑19 may have you worried or asking questions. What do these variants mean for the pandemic? Are they more dangerous? How can I keep my family healthy?
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You may have heard about the COVID-19 Mu variant after cases were reported across the U.S., including in North Texas. Variants are versions of a virus that have changed as the virus spreads. Mu is one version of the COVID-19 virus that the World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring as a "variant of interest."
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Due to the highly contagious Delta variant, there has been a surge in positive COVID-19 cases across the country. This increased spread of COVID-19 has affected children as well as emergency rooms.
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As kids head back to school, there's likely a lot of excitement for seeing friends and having a more "normal" school year than last. However, there may also be some concern about how to keep students safe. COVID-19 is still spreading – and other common germs, viruses and infections are still easily shared among students.
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You may have heard about rare COVID-19 vaccine side effects called myocarditis and pericarditis, or heart inflammation. As a parent, it's understandable to have some questions and concerns about this news. You may even wonder if you should delay your child's COVID-19 vaccine.
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For families around the world, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is affecting day-to-day lives in unprecedented ways. In addition to taking simple precautions such as regularly cleaning hands, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that families put distance between themselves and others to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In response, many events, businesses and schools are temporarily closing.
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Whenever an athlete takes extended time away from training and play, such as during recovery from a sports injury, it’s important to take steps to safely return to play. Athletes of all ages recently faced a unique situation when spring sports seasons were cut short due to social distancing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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Early in the pandemic, parents may have found comfort in the fact that, for the most part, children did not appear to be at high risk for COVID‑19. Most cases were among adults, and adults over the age of 65 seemed to be at highest risk for severe illness.
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Ever try to make a work call with children underfoot? No doubt, this has been a common experience as families stay home to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many parents have had their hands full as they try to work, manage household chores and perform the job of homeschool teacher.
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As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged – and with it, many questions and fears – one comfort for many parents has been that so far, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. There has been more focus on people ages 65 and older, as early data suggests that they are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
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Going back to school can bring excitement for some kids, and for others, some anticipation and worry. Young children can get nervous about leaving their parents. Older children may feel anxious about academics or how they'll fit in with their friends.
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Many families rely on summer vacations to see relatives, relax and spend time together. When coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread this spring, many people canceled their existing travel plans. However, as states begin to reopen and families try to navigate their "new normal," some are wondering if they can plan any type of vacation in a safe way.
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Regular physical activity is an important part of overall health, especially for growing children. Being active not only improves a child's physical health, it also offers cognitive and emotional benefits such as improving attention span and mental well-being.
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Most of the time, eating at home makes it easier to choose healthy options than eating out. However, if you are home all day without a regular schedule, you may find it hard to resist frequent, unhealthy snacks and more difficult to take time out for a nutritious meal.
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As summer begins and many states relax social distancing guidelines, you may be wondering if you can start setting up playdates for your children again. They may be wondering, too, and asking when they can see their friends.
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While COVID-19 continues to spread, parents across the country face an incredibly hard decision: Should children go back to school online? Or in-person?
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As COVID-19 continues to spread, it's important to take steps to keep your family healthy. Wearing a face mask is one way to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19.
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Wearing a face mask is vital to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but the practice may cause acne for some. Many teens and young adults find that masks make their acne worse – or even give them acne for the first time. This mask-related acne, called "maskne," can make wearing a mask uncomfortable and irritating.
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As more people are able to get vaccinated, many are hopeful and excited that we’re getting closer to ending the pandemic. However, as you consider the COVID-19 vaccine either for yourself or for your child, you may also have some concerns. There is a lot of misinformation out there – including the myth that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause infertility.
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Summer is typically a time of fun and relaxation for children and teens – offering a break from school and long days filled with swimming, cookouts, travel and time with friends. This summer, however, poses unique challenges and risks as cases of COVID-19 continue to spread and many families wonder how to navigate summer plans during a pandemic.
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As more and more people become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, you may be wondering what you can do once you've received your shot. Can you return to life as normal? In some ways, yes, according to new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions. It affects the airways and breathing, which can make a respiratory infection like COVID-19 feel especially concerning. Thankfully, there are ways to keep asthma under control and to help prevent infection from COVID-19.
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Over the summer, without classmates or schoolwork, many children find themselves a little bored. This year, children may have been remote learning during the school year and still may not be able to enjoy summer camps, vacations or their regular activities.
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In the past, your child could go to school, even if their nose was stuffed or runny. But as we continue to live in a world with COVID-19, you might be wondering – is it really a cold? Is it safe for my child to go to school? What if they test positive for COVID-19?
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Due to COVID-19, many children are spending more time at home with their parents. During this pandemic, kids have learned about the risks of being around large groups of people. They’ve followed new rules about wearing a mask, hand washing and social distancing. But now, as schools and activities resume, many children – even those who were once excited to go to school – feel intense separation anxiety about leaving their parents’ side.
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The holidays are usually filled with festivities and gatherings with friends and family, but this year, celebrations will look different – especially as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
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2020 was a difficult year for many families. Months of navigating social distancing, changes and disappointments have left many people feeling mentally and physically drained.
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Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels in the body that are important for bone development and strength.
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Sports have looked quite different during the COVID‑19 pandemic – with seasons cut short, games canceled and safety measures implemented to keep athletes safe. As the virus continues to spread, one question might be unclear if an athlete receives a COVID‑19 diagnosis: When can they return to play safely?
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More than 6 million children in the U.S. are affected by seasonal allergies or hay fever, and allergy symptoms can spike when pollen counts are high. But during the pandemic, how can parents tell if their child's sniffle or sore throat is simply pollen-related or if it could be a sign of COVID-19?
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COVID-19 is an ongoing concern for parents. Although more and more people are getting vaccinated, children have not yet been approved for the vaccine. With summer on the horizon and kids looking forward to resuming some normalcy, many parents are wondering whether their child should attend camp this year.
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When cases of COVID-19 first began to spread across the U.S., young athletes had to adjust quickly to online school – and a canceled spring sports season. Now, as schools navigate reopening, athletes are still adjusting and tentatively preparing for a new sports season.
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While many people think of adults as the ones mainly impacted by COVID-19, children can be affected, too – and may need testing. With the enormous amount of anxiety surrounding COVID-19, kids may feel especially nervous about being tested.
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In schools across Texas, all children ages 10 or older are required to wear masks throughout the school day, following the governor's executive order. Many parents have questions about how to clean face masks, how many their children should have on hand and how to get their children to wear face masks and keep them on.
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This school year, parents face a big decision – send their child to school in-person or let them learn at home. Some parents are choosing a third option: learning pods.
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As cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread, many families are taking steps to stay healthy such as staying home as much as possible. While social distancing is an important part of preventing the spread of COVID-19, delaying essential trips like medical appointments can come with its own set of risks.
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Getting sick is never convenient, but with virtual visit, seeing a health care provider can be. Virtual visits are a quick and easy way to see a health care provider without needing to visit a doctor's office. See six tips to help you have a successful virtual appointment and get the care you or your family member needs.